Ortus - prayer to self

Remind me not to live like I am immortal, but like I will die,
And help me make choices by living like I will die, while considering circumstances and ensuring not to cause harm to any other.

Teach me to be bold, confident, and assertive in my actions while keeping humility to the fore
And teach me to see and use humor at all times without affecting pain to another

Teach me to appreciate myself in genuineness with no vanity or conceit
Remind me that I am worthy of love
And when love comes knocking on my door, teach me to welcome it

Help me to not get affected by the negativity of society
And teach me to trust my conscience which will guide me justly

Teach me that I don’t have to prove anything to anyone
Teach me that I don’t have to prove anything to myself
And teach me to do all deeds for the sole purpose of doing them, because I want to, for the joy of doing them, and help me find elation in carrying them out
Remind me that practice and perseverance are a cure to failure
Remind me that I don’t need to defend myself against anyone, and instead
Question myself – am I righteous, truthful and kind?

Remind me to uphold freewill as the most sacred element of humanity
And help me never to enforce or influence anyone into doing something for me
If someone wants to do something for me out of love or kindness, teach me to accept it graciously and with humility

Remind me that patience, kindness, laughter and humility are no sign of weakness
And that these are my priced weapons against a many times aggressive, manipulative and ingrate world
Remind me that I should not use anger, shouting and violence to achieve an intricate end
For I have chosen the steepest mountain to climb

Remind me that we are all, in reality, good-natured but egotistical beings
And that overcoming my ego is my purpose and will be my biggest victory.

*************

Invictus - William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.